Vehicle Speed Control System

摘要

This invention relates to a vehicle speed control system, configured with off-road performance features, that will allow the driver to travel at a set speed in a smooth, controlled manner on various unmaintained surfaces without requiring the driver to press the brake or accelerator pedal. The vehicle speed control system uses a brake controller to control the wheel brakes, and an engine controller to control the engine/drivetrain torque, separate or in combination, to maintain a target speed.

主权项

1. A vehicle speed control system for maintaining vehicle speed at a base target speed when the control system is activated by a vehicle driver, the system comprising:
a slope sensor for directly or indirectly determining the slope of the ground on which the vehicle is traveling; a speed sensor for directly or indirectly determining the vehicle speed; an engine controller for generating an engine torque request signal to operate an engine/drivetrain so as to control the vehicle speed at an engine target speed; a brake controller for generating a brake request signal to operate vehicle brakes so as to control the vehicle speed at a brake target speed; wherein when the vehicle is traveling uphill the brake target speed is greater that the engine target speed and the base target speed corresponds to the engine target speed; and wherein the engine and brake controllers cooperate to maintain the vehicle speed at or near the base target speed.